A scheme to help local roadside verges recover for our native wildlife has had its deadline for applications extended.
The successful wildlife verges scheme from Leicestershire County Council already involves 60 parish councils. Now, the deadline to get involved has been extended until Friday 17 January to give more parishes the chance to take part, with the scheme kicking off again in spring.
Having won a DEFRA ‘Bees’ Needs Champion’ award in 2023, the Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative is run by the county council in partnership with national wildlife recording charity, NatureSpot. Wildlife is left to recolonise and recover over time through natural regeneration or by using native wildflower seeds where needed.
So far, the project has racked up over 4,000 volunteer hours and generated more than 3,500 new wildlife records for NatureSpot in almost 80 locations across Leicestershire. Verges are considered for the scheme only if they are within a 30/40mph zone and junctions and blind bends are not restricted.
Broughton Astley’s verge has topped the charts with 62 wildflower and grass species recorded and even the smallest verge at Newtown Linford saw 25 species of plant life. Since the scheme began, 3,648 wildlife records have been collected, including a rare hemipteran bug and grasshopper nymphs.
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transportation said: “I was shocked to learn that 97% of our native wildflower meadows have been destroyed since the 1930s.
“The highly successful Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative is helping to reverse this through simple acts like reducing intensive grass-cutting, which encourages the restoration of native species and improves biodiversity.
“It’s been great to see so many parishes take part already and I urge parish councils to sign up and be a part of tackling climate change and nature loss.”
To find out more about the scheme and submit an expression of interest, email the county council’s environment team at EnvironmentTeam@leics.gov.uk by Friday 17 January 2025 at 4pm.